Cherkasy, Ukraine, June 23, 2020
Photo: spzh.news
After decades of episcopal service and after battling a long illness, His Eminence Metropolitan Sophrony (Dmitruk) of Cherkasy and Kaniv of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church reposed in the Lord late last night.
“With profound grief and sorrow, we report that on June 22 at 11:08 PM, in the 81st year of his life, after a long and debilitating illness, Metropolitan Sophrony of Cherkasy and Kaniv, and outstanding hierarch of the land of Cherkasy, a builder of churches, and a tireless worker in God’s field, departed to the Lord,” reports the Cherkasy diocesan press service.
Vladyka Sophrony led the Cherkasy Diocese for 28 years. During the long years of his episcopal ministry, hundreds of damaged churches were restored, famous monasteries were revived, and many people found faith through his sermons and selfless service.
Met. Sophrony was one of the few vocal supporters of autocephaly within the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church, though he always remained within the canonical Church.
May his memory be eternal!
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Met. Sophrony (Dmitry Savvich Dmitruk) was born on February 15, 1940 in the village of Mnishin in the Rivne Province. After graduating from high school he worked in construction and then served in the army.
From 1962 to 1970, he studied at the Moscow Theological Seminary and Academy, graduating with a degree in theology. From 1970 to 1972, he worked in the Academy as a professorial fellow, an employee of the Church’s Archaeological Office, and a senior tour guide.
On November 24, 1968, he was ordained as a deacon. On April 12, 1971, he took monastic vows, and on January 7, 1973, he was ordained as a hieromonk. In 1977, he was elevated to the rank of igumen.
From 1974 to 1979, he taught at the Moscow Theological Academy and Seminary. From 1979 to 1992 he served in several churches in Cherkasy and Kiev.
In 1992, he was elevated to rank of archimandrite, and on August 9 that year, he was consecrated as bishop of Cherkasy and Kaniv. On November 3, 2000, he was elevated to the rank of archbishop, and on September 24, 2008, he was elevated to the rank of metropolitan.
